Redeeming Our Communities

The Redeeming Our Communities initiative was launched in 2004 at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, where thousands of people across the North West gathered and pledged to reduce violent crime in the region. A year later that pledge was met when the Metro Newspaper reported that violent crime in the region had fallen by 11%, bucking the national trend.{{cite news|title=Crime plummets by 11 per cent|newspaper=Manchester Metro News|date=24 June 2005}}

In 2006 ROC became a national organisation, holding an event in the NEC Arena in Birmingham. The event was attended by 7,000, and as a result many people across the UK signed up to become ROC Ambassadors, spreading the vision of ROC across the UK. After the National Launch, ROC began to host conferences to train and equip people in how to set up projects using the ROC model.{{cite news|title=1000s of Christians Join Police & Politicians in National Campaign|url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/1000s.of.christians.join.police.politicians.in.national.campaign/6077.htm|newspaper=Christian Today|date=21 September 2012}}

Since the National Launch, ROC has moved into over 200 different regions across the UK,{{cite news|title=Why the Queen's So Keen on Debra Green|newspaper=Liberti Magazine|date=Oct–Dec 2012}} including the Belfast Launch event in 2012.{{cite news|title=Safer City as Communities Unite|url=http://www.u.tv/News/Safer-city-as-communities-unite/8d199c82-6510-41c9-87f9-e7523f671ab8|newspaper=UTV News|date=10 May 2012}} During this time ROC have hosted several high-profile Launch Events, including the 2009 Liverpool Launch which attracted over 5,000 people and the 2010 Birmingham Launch which drew 2,000.{{cite news|title=Birmingham Churches Unite For Citywide Initiative|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/birmingham/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9177000/9177600.stm|newspaper=BBC News Birmingham|date=11 November 2010}} These high-profile events are held in partnership with local police forces in the hopes of building links and creating local ROC projects.

ROC launched in Scotland at the ROC Scotland Showcase event on 5 February 2014."[http://www.dehavilland.co.uk/VERTICALS/userlogin2.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fVERTICALS%2fMonitor%2fMoStart.aspx%3fitems%3d19701987&items=19701987 Motion S4M-08983: John Mason - Redeeming Our Communities]", De Havilland, February 2014 The event was attended by over 1700 people including 100 civic leaders and senior members of public services. The evening was hosted by Sally Magnusson and included performances from the Police Pipe Band, Midge Ure, Jai McDowall and the High School of Glasgow Chamber Choir. The evening inspired people to get involved in community projects."[http://www.roc.uk.com/Articles/393142/Redeeming_Our_Communities/Regional/Scotland/About/Endorsements_and_feedback.aspx ROC Scotland Endorsements and Feedback]", ROC February 2014

In recognition of her work ROC founder Debra Green received an OBE in June 2012.{{cite news|title=Queen's Birthday Honours List 2012: OBE|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jun/16/queens-birthday-honours-obe|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 June 2012}}

In 2018 ROC were awarded the Queen's Award for voluntary service and attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

ROC have developed a community engagement model called a ROC Conversation. They have delivered over 250 of these across the UK in Counties, Cities, towns, and villages. Their work has recently been recognised by the Home Office.

There are currently over 300 projects under the ROC banner. These projects are multi-agency and will usually involve partnerships among faith groups, police, and emergency services as well as various other statutory agencies and organisations.

Projects and initiatives include:

• ROC Cafés,[http://www.roc.uk.com/Groups/122165/Redeeming_Our_Communities/Projects/ROC_Caf%C3%A9/ROC_Caf%C3%A9.aspx ROC Cafés] which provide diversionary activities for young people{{cite news|title=Crime helps to pay for fun activities at youth club|url=http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/9870141.Crime_helps_to_pay_for_fun_activities_at_youth_club/|newspaper=This Is Lancashire|date=13 August 2012}}
• ROC Conversation community engagement initiatives [https://roc.uk.com/roc-conversation/]
• ROC Centres,[http://www.roc.uk.com/Groups/175840/Redeeming_Our_Communities/Projects/ROC_Centre/ROC_Centre.aspx ROC Centres] offering a community hub for a variety of projects{{cite news|title=UK Ministries Rally to PM's Biblical Values Call|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/January/UK-Ministries-Rally-to-PMs-Biblical-Values-Call-/|newspaper=CBN News|date=28 January 2012}}
• ROC Care,[http://www.roc.uk.com/Groups/151893/Redeeming_Our_Communities/Projects/ROC_Care/ROC_Care.aspx ROC Care] which focuses on the elderly and isolated
• ROC Football[http://www.roc.uk.com/Groups/184602/Redeeming_Our_Communities/Projects/ROC_Football/ROC_Football.aspx ROC Football]"[http://www.rbfc.co.uk/pages.php?page_id=1060 Partnership between Radcliffe Neighbourhood Policing Team, ROC Radcliffe and Radcliffe Borough Football Club]", Radcliffe Borough Football Club
• Mentoring schemes{{cite web | url=http://roc.uk.com/roc-mentors/ | title=ROC - Redeeming Our Communities| ROC Community Mentoring }}
• Mobile community bus scheme[http://www.roc.uk.com/Groups/198840/Redeeming_Our_Communities/Projects/ROC_Bus/ROC_Bus.aspx Mobile Community Bus scheme]{{cite news|title=Café bus offers cuppa and company for Wick|url=http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/community/cafe-bus-offers-cuppa-and-company-in-wick-1-4230078|newspaper=Littlehampton Gazette|date=9 September 2012}}

ROC claims to have seen reductions in crime as a result of their projects, including significant reductions in anti-social behaviour,"[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/10820867.ROC_Centre_helps_beat_boredom____the_most_common_reason_for_anti_social_behaviour_ ROC Centre helps beat boredom]", Bolton News, 20 November 2013

"[http://www.roc.uk.com/Articles/377470/Redeeming_Our_Communities/News/England_North_West/ROC_Caf%C3%A9_Winton.aspx ROC Cafe Winton 90% reduction in Anti Social Behaviour]", ROC, November 2013

which has inspired additional ROC projects."[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/crime/10671290.print ROC Centre in Breightmet could be model for others across Bolton]", Bolton News, 12 September 2013

"[http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Project-aims-cut-youth-crime-levels/story-12502710-detail/story.html Project Aims to Cut Youth Crime Levels]", The Sentinel, 29 April 2011

In 2008 Debra Green wrote a book, containing the stories of many of the projects: Redeeming Our Communities: 21st Century Miracles of Social Transformation. Her next book, ROC your World; transforming communities for good, was published by River Publishing in March 2014.“ROC your World; transforming communities for good” published by River Publishing March 2014, website: http://www.rocyourworld.org/

In 2012 ROC announced that they would be starting a restorative justice scheme called ROC Restore."[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/restorative-justice-scheme--run-1424511 Community Court set to go on trial]" Manchester Evening News. 27 Feb 2013

In 2014 ROC received a new HQ as a community asset transfer, The FUSE in Trafford. The FUSE is a £5Million state of the art community centre received on a 22 year rent free lease in recognition of their work [https://www.usethefuse.co.uk]

In 2018 ROC Restore, restorative Justice project was awarded the RSQM, The Restorative Service Quality Mark [https://restorativejustice.org.uk] Princess Ann visited ROC HQ to celebrate 5 years of their restorative justice work.

In 2014, the charity launched into Scotland, hosting a Showcase Event on 5 February.{{cite news|title=Redeeming Our Communities|newspaper=Scottish Christian Broadcast|date=Autumn–Winter 2012}} Following the event, it was reported by ROC that several projects were in the planning stages including in Parkhead, Queen's Park Glasgow, Newton Stewart and Edinburgh."[http://scotland.roc.uk.com/projects/ Future plans Scotland]", ROC February 2014

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.roc.uk.com ROC website]
• Northern Ireland [https://northernireland.roc.uk.com]

Category:Charities based in Greater Manchester

Category:Crime in the United Kingdom

Category:Organisations based in Trafford